TSA Security Directive SD-1544-09-06 : The Fallout From NW253
27/12/2009 – TSA Security Directive SD-1544-09-06 : The Fallout From NW253
Following the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on Delta Air Lines Flight 253, operated by Northwest Airlines, from Amsterdam to Detroit, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has created a series of security measures in reaction to the incident.
Earlier today I wrote about Flight NW253 here, 27/12/2009 – Northwest Airlines Flight 253 : Myths & Facts.
The following is the complete text of the US DHS security directive as implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
I post this text with no commentary or opinion; it is posted in its entirety as fact for you to better understand what is currently occurring in the realm of international aviation security.
Happy Flying & remember to use the lavatory 61 minutes prior to arrival in the US from overseas
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
Aviation Security Directive
Subject: Security Directive
Number: SD 1544-09-06
Date: December 25, 2009
EXPIRATION: 0200Z on December 30, 2009
This Security Directive (SD) must be implemented immediately. The measures contained in this SD are in addition to all other SDs currently in effect for your operations.
INFORMATION: On December 25, 2009, a terrorist attack was attempted against a flight traveling to the United States. TSA has identified security measures to be implemented by airports, aircraft operators, and foreign air carriers to mitigate potential threats to flights.
APPLICABILITY: THIS SD APPLIES TO AIRCRAFT OPERATORS THAT CARRY OUT A SECURITY PROGRAM REGULATED UNDER 49 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR)1544.101(a).
ACTIONS REQUIRED: If you conduct scheduled and/or public charter flight operations under a Full Program under 49 CFR 1544.101(a) departing from any foreign location to the United States (including its territories and possessions), you must immediately implement all measures in this SD for each such flight.
1. BOARDING GATE
1. The aircraft operator or authorized air carrier representative must ensure all passengers are screened at the boarding gate during the boarding process using the following procedures. These procedures are in addition to the screening of all passengers at the screening checkpoint.
1. Perform thorough pat-down of all passengers at boarding gate prior to boarding, concentrating on upper legs and torso.
2. Physically inspect 100 percent of all passenger accessible property at the boarding gate prior to boarding, with focus on syringes being transported along with powders and/or liquids.
3. Ensure the liquids, aerosols, and gels restrictions are strictly adhered to in accordance with SD 1544-06-02E.
2. During the boarding process, the air carrier may exempt passengers who are Heads of State or Heads of Government from the measures outlined in Section I.A. of this SD, including the following who are traveling with the Head of State or Head of Government:
1. Spouse and children, or
2. One other individual (chosen by the Head of State or Head of Government)
3. For the purposes of Section I.B., the following definitions apply:
1. Head of State: An individual serving as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth, or any other political state (for example, King, Queen, and President).
2. Head of Government: The chief officer of the executive branch of a government presiding over a cabinet (for example, Prime Minister, Premier, President, and Monarch).
2. IN FLIGHT
1. During flight, the aircraft operator must ensure that the following procedures are followed:
1. Passengers must remain in seats beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
2. Passenger access to carry-on baggage is prohibited beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
3. Disable aircraft-integrated passenger communications systems and services (phone, internet access services, live television programming, global positioning systems) prior to boarding and during all phases of flight.
4. While over U.S. airspace, flight crew may not make any announcement to passengers concerning flight path or position over cities or landmarks.
5. Passengers may not have any blankets, pillows, or personal belongings on the lap beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
AIRCRAFT OPERATOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT: The aircraft operator must immediately provide written confirmation to its assigned PSI indicating receipt of this SD.
AIRCRAFT OPERATOR dissemination required: The aircraft operator must immediately pass the information and directives set forth in this SD to all stations affected, and provide written confirmation to its PSI, indicating that all stations affected have acknowledged receipt of the information and directives set forth in this SD. The aircraft operator must disseminate this information to its senior management personnel, ground security coordinators, and supervisory security personnel at all affected locations. All aircraft operator personnel implementing this SD must be briefed by the aircraft operator on its content and the restrictions governing dissemination. No other dissemination may be made without prior approval of the Assistant Secretary for the Transportation Security Administration. Unauthorized dissemination of this document or information contained herein is prohibited by 49 CFR Part 1520 (see 69 Fed. Reg. 28066 (May 18, 2004).
APPROVAL OF ALTERNATIVE MEASURES: With respect to the provisions of this SD, as stated in 49 CFR 1544.305(d), the aircraft operator may submit in writing to its PSI proposed alternative measures and the basis for submitting the alternative measures for approval by the Assistant Administrator for Transportation Sector Network Management. The aircraft operator must immediately notify its PSI whenever any procedure in this SD cannot be carried out by a government authority charged with performing security procedures.
FOR TSA ACTION ONLY: The TSA must issue this SD immediately to the corporate security element of all affected U.S. aircraft operators.
FOR STATE DEPARTMENT: Retransmittal to appropriate foreign posts is authorized. Post must refer to STATE 162917, 201826Z Sep 01, Subject: FAA Security Directives and Information Circulars: Definitions and Handling, for specific guidance and dissemination.
Gale Rossides
Acting Administrator
I understand being safe but there have to be a better solution out there for security… better machines since we have to walk through so many… something
What bullshit.
Seriously? These rules are not only absolutely draconian but are going to end up putting business out of business & people out of their jobs. Welcome to making air travel absolutely uncomfortable. There comes a time when the people need to speak up and make their voices heard that a government does not have the right to decide what their citizens do or think. If they believe that removing WiFi inflight will make us safer, they are sorely mistaken. Blankets on someone one hour prior to landing, are you kidding me? That is going to make US as the traveling public safer, really?
How about the TSA implement explosive screening at their checkpoints along with cargo and checked bags first. THAT will make us safer.
Things that make NO SENSE:
3. Disable aircraft-integrated passenger communications systems and services (phone, internet access services, live television programming, global positioning systems) prior to boarding and during all phases of flight.
4. While over U.S. airspace, flight crew may not make any announcement to passengers concerning flight path or position over cities or landmarks.
5. Passengers may not have any blankets, pillows, or personal belongings on the lap beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
4a. All windows must be removed from the aircraft prior to departure.
All your civil liberties and freedoms just got revoked people. The TSA stepped over the line of people’s freedom and the reasonable security of the nation. Denying the use of a washroom 1hr prior to arrival? We don’t control when we go pee.
Slowly but surely people’s civil rights will be violated freely by those who think they have power.
Blackbag everyone before entering the aircraft. Once seated you will be secured to the seat using hand and leg shackles. That’ll definitely work.
I will be on a 15hr non stop flight to IAH???.and no in flight programming.?????….makes sense only if they can arrange for a good looking woman(who is nice to talk to) next to me….
3. Disable aircraft-integrated passenger communications systems and services (phone, internet access services, live television programming, global positioning systems) prior to boarding and during all phases of flight.
Well, the terrorists are winning.. I am cancelling all US travel until this insanity is sorted out.
The very definition of PTSD: trying to prevent an event that already happened.
All [modern] terrorism really is, is the undoing of the concept that all acts of violence are dealt with on a local level. Shh, don’t tell anyone.
So now instead, on this huge ass rock with, I don’t know, say 6.5 billion people if one little insignificant human does something destructive from our perspective, all the brainwashed sheep overreact by dealing with it on a GLOBAL scale.
Here’s an analogy to help illustrate the idiocracy that is the modern people. If you were to apply this same logic consistently accross all facets of life, than….well remember when that flock of birds accidentally managed to get sucked into the engine of that plane in New York and the pilot did some kind of James Bond landing and saved the day?
Well if there was any consistency to the above logic, than there would have already been a world-wide movement to rid the sky of all the fuckin birds! haaahaaa
I’m embarrassed to be an American.
30 years from now, people will look at how much economic damage TSA did to the US and ask themselves why we let it happen.
Well, note though these are only interim measures. They expire on Wednesday. Let’s see what the permanent measures look like. Given the high alert situation, these don’t seem excessive as temporary measures.
Um …
“Unauthorized dissemination of this document or information contained herein is prohibited by 49 CFR Part 1520 (see 69 Fed. Reg. 28066 (May 18, 2004).”
Shh!!!!
The only things that have made us safer in the last 10 years are the cockpit doors being locked and strengthened, and the fact that if you try ANYTHING the other passengers on the flight will kill your ass. Everything else is just an acknowledgement of how we’re letting terrorists inconvenience our otherwise most convenient mode of travel. Damn you terrorists!
Apart from a bag over the head, it sounds like rendition.
I wonder if the TSA officers at the customs checkpoint will refuse to tell you what city you’ve ended up in.
I think the extra pat downs and searches are a good idea – it might help them find some clue – they certainly don’t have much at the moment.
some whiners with knee jerk complaints are missing the point here..
I for one really would er on the side of cation rather then let some idiot try to take a plane down and kill a bunch of innocent people. Sure its an inconvenience , but whats the alternative, (being dead) I have a metal hip and every time I fly I get pulled to the side and have to do the wand thingy in front of everybody, un buckle my pants check the fly and metal button, really is a pain in the ass but hey do I want to drive 2000 miles and 3 days on the road, or 4 hrs in the air and 1 hr in line getting screened? Sure I hope they find better ways to screen people and bags but what were stuck with is what were stuck with. Deal with it.
So as I understand it I will have to put away my book for the last hour of the flight, and make sure to have Depends on because TSA doesnt care if I have an enlarged prostrate and need bathroom access more often than most. (I wonder if they would let you use a H.E.R.E. during the last hour….) What a bunch of crap. Looks like the PA28R is going to be getting a lot more use in the future… I’ll drive myself rather than put up with all this garbage.
What an utter over-reaction! Is the TSA determined to destroy the airline industry? There is no way that I am going to fly under these circumstances once previously booked trips are completed.
What’s next ? reporting to a pre-boarding centre to be strip searched and dressed in paper suits, blindfolded and handcuffed..?
This is typical reactionary stupidity. Instead of using brains and confronting the terrorists they make stupid rules. Do they really think someone who wants to do damage wont do their thing 65 minutes before landing? We have people in our govt who have been asleep since 1993 and who have been brain dead for the last 9 years so they dont know there is terrorism and EVIL people in the world. Go figure when they call it “man made disaster” and not terrorism.
Until they actually do security like they should meaning profiling – be it psychological or accent or where the passengers are from, we will be on a merry go round which isnt too merry. People are frustrated with security because they know TSA is going after the wrong people so they could play the PC game. Well bleep PC!
What is the additional screening or qualifications to become a TSA agent. We have all heard that some of them are at fault for not doing thier job
What is the deal with “one hour” ? So a terrorist does his preparation 15 minutes after take off ..
Actually those who are challenging SD-1544-09-06 are not missing the point. This new security directive is a smoke & mirrors tactic, commonly known as ‘Security Theater.’ The new rules give the perception of being reactionary without providing any security benefit what so ever.
Happy Flying!
-Fish
So if they do not allow folks to get up for during the last 1 hour of the flight then the terrorist will simply do it earlier! Makes no sense to have people sit in their seats for the last hour.
The details of SD-1544-09-06 are not an act of caution, they are a public relations tactic, a show of force, rather than a security measure that provides any benefit.
Happy Flying!
-Fish
Perhaps the ultimate solution would be shackled to your seat in your underware. They should make these TSA assholes fly at least once a week.
Interesting…and, isn’t it amazing that the government is hysterical about aircraft safety…when our international borders are as accessible as any all-night Walgreens?
I’m going to Europe, in a couple of weeks. I’ve half-a-mind to forfeit my airfares, and stay, the Heck, home! These desperate “fingers-in-the-leaking-dike”…ostensibly designed to halt attacks on the nation…are, as has been stated…all “PR”, directed at gtiving a false sense of security, to the masses! These clowns are neither deterred, nor fooled, by it. What is to prevent a dedicated troublemaker from slipping across the border at Juarez, and firmly ensconsing himself…right next-door, to one of us…while awating the “signal” to wreak havoc? Our international borders are worse than “sieves”…allowing the domestic terrorism of the Mexican drug-cartels…and, a relatively easy ingress to idiots, such as the one with the stupid fireworks, on the plane headed for Detroit! If the government sewed-up the borders…as well as aimed at holding airline passengers “hostage”…I wouldn’t mind, one bit! But, it should be CONSISTENT…or, is that asking too much???
Dear all, don’t waste time posting comments here or on the TSA site (liek they are going to listen or do something different), write your senators and congressman and implore them to investigate the TSA, their effectiveness, and the balance of power that currently exists. TSA appears to be operating outside the general rule of law and can impose actions that are violations of basic human rights, with no due process. It’s crazy, costly, and totally ineffective.
This brings to mind a comedic skit performed back in the 80s on Saturday Night Live which seems so insightful now. In the skit the flight attendants greeted each passenger as they boarded the aircraft and passed out loaded weapons to every individual along with a blanket and a pillow.
No offense intended, but writing to Senators and Congressmen about ANYTHING of relevance, is tantamount to…well…”making wee-wee”, in the wind! They are all firmly settled in their well-feathered, personal nests…and, couldn’t care, less…about the rest of us! This is, without question, a serious infringement on basic human rights…but, those in positions of “leadership”…”have theirs”…and, seem quite safe “doing nothing”, and keeping the status quo just as it is! As long as Americans have their Wii systems…and their Old Milwaukee…the Congress knows that they have nothing to fear: “Don’t rock the boat!”, they cry…and, those of us who truly CARE, will eventually give-up, and go away…There hasn’t been a groundswell of national indignation, since the Vietnam war! Congress knows that it is safe to “look the other way”, on this, and every other serious national issue…
…and the TSA is to “PAT-DOWN” boarding passengers, too! That will be a hoot, for me, especially, since I am retired from law enforcement, and am used to “patting-down”, OTHERS, lol!! This is ridiculous…
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. This is insanity. That plus spending Billions of dollars and inconveniencing people for Billons of hours. It appears that the only thing that works is the passengers and crews on airplanes that just aren’t going to let something happen.
So. If you are a terrorist, you don’t pack any powders around uppers legs or torso. Lower legs and arms are okay! And you don’t wait until the last hour of the flight to do anything! Why don’t we give them the exact instructions on how they should carry out their jihad ?
These rules are absolutely ridiculous and will not make anyone one bit safer — definately inconvenienced and probably less safer…..
The religious fanatic terrorists have succeeded in their objectives by bringing to a standstill or near to it, the air transportation system within and to the USA. They also succeeded in getting the USA to spend billions on the so-called but mostly ineffective security infrastructure that only gives the appearance of security.
What needs to be done, as distasteful as it seems to the basic American principles, is to use profiling, be it ethnic, behaviors, travel patterns, ect rather than having old white women, small children and the obviously non-terrorist travelers have to comply to such procedures.
What happens if someone decides to sneak contraband onboard in his anal cavity? Do we all have to undergo an anal cavity search?
It’s official, the inmates are running the asylum.
@Don: Actually, if you are a terrorist, you can continue business as usual. The new TSA rules (as all the others) will only be applied to Joe American travelling with his family. Muslims will be able to pass right through security without a second thought for fear of discriminatory profiling.
The terrorist have won.. they have done exactly waht they intended to do as they know exactly how the TSA will kneeejerk-us-off…they understand that this will kill business, stop travelers from going to the US..
What about all of the diabetics that must have their insulin and needles with them all the time?? do they stop travel now?? what happens if a baby has to get a diaper change?? are we all to smell and hear a screaming child for the last hour of flight?? should that child suffer as well??
Ya they won.. and they will continue to do these type of things.. its easy, and it pays off their efforts with big returns.. This is the civil version of an IED and the traveling public is the target..
lol…You can tell that those who contribute to this blog aren’t the ones who “set policy” for the TSA! They are all far too astute and thoughtful!!
when are people going to wake up and realize we have a bunch of idiots running our country and the few that are not ,are afraid to stand up for what they know is right, because the dont want to make waves. people need to stand up for what they believe in, right or wrong and quit being a follower. this is the first time in my life i have ever been afraid of what the consequences of our current government is going to create. Its not good
I can’t wait to pee in my seat !! So if I can’t have anything in my LAP, can I reach down under my seat to get whatever I need?
“The Terrorists” are TSA. They take away are freedom and imprison us in our seats while telling us it is for our own good and treating us like children. F them.
It starts with mother’s milk, then water. All terrorists do it. Do we try to stop it there. No WATER, NO MILK? Makes about as much sense.
It says it expires on 12/30…